Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Muslims had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy.
There was a huge outcry from the Muslims community, so the Pope offered a deal: he'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Muslims community. If the Muslims won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.
The Muslims people met and picked an aged and wise Sheik to represent them in the debate. However, as the Sheik spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Arabic, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.
On the chosen day the Pope and Sheik sat opposite each other. The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. The Sheik looked back and raised one finger.
Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head. The Sheik pointed to the ground where he sat. The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine. The Sheik pulled out an apple.
With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the Sheik was too clever. The Muslims could stay in Italy.
Later the Cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened. The Pope said "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our faiths. Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. The Sheik responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us. I pulled out the wine and host to show that through the perfect sacrifice Jesus has atoned for our sins, but the Sheik pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin. He bested me at every move and I could not continue."
Meanwhile, the Muslims community gathered to ask the Sheik how he'd won. "I haven't a clue" said the Sheik. "First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Muslims, but I told him emphatically that we were staying right here."
"And then what?" asked a woman.
"Who knows?" said the Sheik. "He took out his lunch, so I took out mine."
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Topic: Symbolism (Read 3186 times)